While a number of shows have closed as the holidays wind down, theater lovers still have some good choices, many reviewed by the Star Tribune.
Foremost is "Motown: The Musical," director Charles Randolph-Wright's excellent, heartwarming production that does more than quicken memories formed around the songs and style of Motown, founded by impresario Berry Gordy. Performed by a stellar cast, the show transcends the jukebox musical as it simultaneously jogs memories and creates new ones around the enduring, era-defining music sung by the likes of Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and the Jackson Five.
8 p.m. Fri.; 2 & 8 p.m. Sat.; 1 & 6:30 p.m. Sun. $49-$134. Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. 1-800-982-2787.
Green is not the color of envy so much as the color of joy at the Children's Theatre, where Peter Brosius' rambunctiously entertaining revival of "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas" is playing. The holiday classic boasts a frenetic, Robin Williams-esque title performance by Reed Sigmund and heartwarming, pitch-perfect singing by 9-year-old phenom Natalie Tran.
7 p.m. Fri.; 11 a.m. & 5 p.m. Sat.; 2 & 5 p.m. Sun. $10-$85. Ends Jan. 4. 2400 3rd Av. S., Mpls. 612-874-0400.
Over at the Ordway, James Rocco's spirited production of "A Christmas Story: The Musical" is pleasing multigenerational patrons. The show has a large cast led by Dieter Bierbrauer, Billie Wildrick and Jake Goodman as Ralphie, the boy who wants a BB gun for Christmas. Critic Kristin Tillotson called the show "a good old-fashioned crowd pleaser for every generation, adding plenty of showbiz sparkle to the classic tale of 1940s everykid." She also applauded the "great song-and-dance numbers and kid-powered energy."
7:30 p.m. Fri.; 2 & 7:30 p.m. Sat.-Sun. $36-$110. EndsSun. Ordway Center for the Arts, 5th and Washington Sts., St. Paul. 651-224-4222.
Back for its sixth year, "A Don't Hug Me Christmas Carol" takes tongue-in-cheek aim at the cool and reserve of some Minnesotans. Set in a bar in Bunyan Bay, Minn., the show features a reluctant husband who would rather go snowmobiling across a lake than celebrate. Unfortunately, he falls through the ice and goes into a coma, where he is visited by a Nordic folk legend who helps him see the error of his Christmas-eschewing ways. The cast includes Bonni Allen, Doug Anderson and Ross Young.
